Yearly on the primary day of summer time, Iceland’s Horticultural Faculty—a part of the nation’s agricultural college in Hveragerði—opens its doorways to the general public. Guests pour into this schooling and analysis facility to see unique tropical vegetation thriving, together with bananas. A few ton of those fruits, which generally desire scorching climates, are cultivated right here annually. In reality, Iceland is as near the Arctic Circle as bananas develop, because of the college’s greenhouse.
Though the bananas are produced just for college students, lecturers, and company to take pleasure in, the world’s northernmost banana plantation is a main instance of how Iceland’s greenhouses have revolutionized the nation’s agricultural business.
Rising within the Chilly
In a spot identified for glaciers, lava fields, brief summers, and chilly climate, the truth that Iceland can produce all kinds of crops is spectacular. That is largely because of greenhouse horticulture. Iceland’s produce is recent and flavorful, qualities it owes to scrub air, pure spring water, and volcanic soils—a wealth of renewable pure sources.
The persistently cool climate retains bugs and bugs away, eliminating the necessity for pesticides and different chemical compounds. The island’s small dimension—about the identical as Kentucky—can also be a bonus, permitting greens to be harvested and offered at markets inside hours.
By controlling environmental elements equivalent to temperature, daylight, water, and vitamins, Iceland’s agricultural greenhouses are remarkably sustainable. They assist produce almost half of all greens consumed within the nation and have grow to be a well-liked cease for guests. Greenhouses are one of many many elements that make “the Land of Ice and Hearth”—which you’ll expertise on Nat Hab’s Iceland: Circling the Land of Hearth & Ice journey—so distinctive. Their historical past is equally fascinating.
The Historical past of Iceland’s Greenhouses
Farmers in Iceland have been harnessing geothermal warmth for agriculture for hundreds of years. The approach started out of necessity—to provide meals in a spot the place climate may be risky and landscapes unforgiving. Early farmers planted hardy crops equivalent to potatoes and grains on land warmed by geothermal steam, which prolonged the rising season barely.
Iceland’s first greenhouse was in-built 1924, when farmers found they might use geothermal water to warmth enclosed areas and sterilize soil in opposition to pests and illness. These early greenhouses prolonged the rising season year-round. Over time, buildings developed from pure supplies to plastic, and immediately most are coated with glass to permit in most gentle.
How Have Greenhouses Reworked Iceland’s Meals System?
Within the century since Iceland started utilizing greenhouses, crops beforehand unknown to the native panorama have flourished. Greenhouses have elevated annual yields, improved meals safety, and strengthened the nationwide economic system.
They depend on renewable vitality sources equivalent to hydropower—derived from meltwater rivers flowing off Iceland’s glaciers—and geothermal vitality from the Earth’s warmth. Each regulate gentle and temperature to keep up optimum rising situations. Some additionally use supplemental carbon dioxide, a byproduct of geothermal energy, to boost plant development.
Immediately, greater than 45 acres of greenhouse house are cultivated throughout Iceland. Whereas the nation nonetheless imports most of its produce, native greenhouse crops promote sustainability, scale back reliance on fossil fuels, and lower greenhouse gasoline emissions—all whereas offering customers with nutrient-rich, domestically grown meals.
What Grows in Iceland’s Greenhouses?
Icelandic farmers primarily develop cucumbers, strawberries, lettuce, pink and inexperienced peppers, mushrooms, and herbs. Hardier greens equivalent to carrots, potatoes, cauliflower, and kale may be grown open air in naturally warmed, geothermally heated soil.
Minimize flowers, potted vegetation, and microgreens additionally thrive—thanks partially to technological advances equivalent to hydroponics, which grows vegetation in nutrient-rich water as a substitute of soil, and vertical farming, which stacks crops in a number of layers to maximise house.
Experiencing Iceland’s Greenhouses and Regionally Grown Produce
Most of Iceland’s greenhouses are positioned within the south, notably within the city of Hveragerði, the nation’s “greenhouse capital.” Right here, guests can tour Friðheimar, a family-run farm specializing in greenhouse-grown tomatoes. Pre-booked excursions can be found year-round and embody an exhibit on geothermal heating and connoisseur souvenirs equivalent to jars of cucumber salsa and tomato jam.
Friðheimar’s on-site restaurant serves bowls of house-made tomato soup with recent herbs and bitter cream, Icelandic mozzarella burrata with heirloom tomatoes and basil olive oil, and even tomato beer. It’s open each afternoon, each day.
Nat Hab vacationers additionally expertise Iceland’s farm-to-table delicacies firsthand at stops such because the South Coast’s Drangar Restaurant, the place dishes embody a starter salad with baked tomatoes and cashew cream or coffee-cured salmon with cucumber.
In north Iceland, Fosshotel Mývatn Restaurant options Nordic delicacies utilizing native components from space farmers and fishers. Menu highlights embody roasted tomato soup comprised of greenhouse-grown fruit in Hveravellir and Arctic char with pickled pink cabbage and potatoes. End with a skyr posset, a thick, creamy yogurt dessert topped with citrus fruits and blueberries.
The most effective methods to help Iceland’s greenhouse business is to purchase domestically grown produce whereas visiting. In markets, search for the phrase íslenskt on packaging—it means Icelandic in origin and ensures freshness.
From the geothermal greenhouses of Hveragerði to the farm-to-table kitchens of Reykjavik and past, Iceland’s innovation in sustainable agriculture presents an interesting glimpse into how nature and science thrive collectively within the North. Be part of Nat Hab to expertise these dwelling ecosystems firsthand—alongside glaciers, waterfalls, volcanic landscapes and wild coastlines that outline the Land of Hearth and Ice.
